Embracing the Fiction Author Journey

Ready to transform your manuscript from a rough draft into a polished gem? Discover the secrets to navigating the entire editing process, whether you're working with a professional editor or sharpening your skills to self-edit your book! In this episode, join Erin P.T. Canning and special guest Allyson Wilkins, an expert editor for YA and adult fantasy and fairy tale retellings, as we demysti...

Ever wonder what makes a massive novel like Callie Hart's Quicksilver tick … or maybe a struggle?  Join Erin P.T. Canning for a fascinating dual review, breaking down this popular book from both a writer/editor's analytical perspective and a reader's honest opinion. In this episode of Embracing the Fiction Author Journey, Erin dives deep into Quicksilver. You'll hear insights o...

Do you start writing fervently but get lost in the murky middle? Or have you ever had an idea for a story but you're not sure where to start? And sitting down to write a massive number of words feels intimidating? In today’s episode, learn how discovery drafts can help you capture your story idea much more quickly—and provide flexibility for pantsers.  Topics discussed in this episode:  Two c...

Big changes are in store for Parents Who Write. In this episode, I'm excited to announce a new chapter for my podcast! I'll share the inspiration behind the name change and how it better reflects the show's current focus. Get ready for a fresh start with engaging discussions and valuable insights. *********  Connect with Erin P.T. Canning:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinptc...

Have you ever read a book and the world falls away?  Pay attention to those moments. Because as writers, we can learn a lot from the books that inspire us.  We should study what works and why. We can also explore what didn’t work for us and learn how that knowledge can also shape us into the writers we want to be.  In today’s episode, host Erin P.T. Canning discusses The Witch Collector, a fantasy...

Juggling motherhood, writing, and career aspirations? Join Erin as she chats with author and editor Jessica Dall about her journey from fan fiction to publishing historical romance and romantasy.  Discover the challenges and rewards of balancing writing and editing, as well as the unexpected twists and turns of motherhood and creativity.  You’ll also learn valuable insights into the research proce...

Ever wondered what makes a bestselling book tick?  In this episode, we dive deep into the world of genre analysis and why having this knowledge is vital to your author career.  Learn how to identify and leverage the key components that make your genre resonate with readers. You’ll also discover how understanding those components can unlock your writing potential. Tune in today so you don’t make th...

Every feel like a fraud? Imposter syndrome can plague even the most successful writers.  In this episode, host Erin P.T. Canning chats with developmental editor and life coach Charlotte Chipperfield about strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and building self-belief. Listen in as they explore the root causes of imposter syndrome and practical tools to silence that inner critic. You’ll also...

Do you ever feel like you're drowning under the pressure to be a perfect parent, spouse, and—on top of that—a creative writer?  In today’s episode, host Erin P.T. Canning and fellow Fantasy Author Michelle Summers share their experiences and strategies for balancing writing with family life.  Through this conversation, listeners will discover how Michelle and Erin combat the pressure to do it...

Curious about transforming journaling entries into a published memoir? Joining us today is Sarah Birnbach, author of the memoir "A Daughter's Kaddish." Sarah shares her surprising journey from journal facilitator to published author and how journaling helped her heal through grief. But the question remains: How do you take those raw, personal entries and turn them into a compelling...

Have you ever wondered about audiobook opportunities for authors? In this episode, we explore the booming audiobook market and its potential benefits for authors. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of creating audiobooks, including pricing considerations, narration options, and distribution channels.  But wait, there's more!  We'll also address some key questions to help you decide if...

What happens when have twenty million ideas all jumbled up in your head, and you struggle with multiple projects—or worse, multiple, multivolume series? Joining us today is Edward Green, who is a prolific writer. During this episode, Edward shares not only his writing journey but also the answers to questions that used to plague him too. Like, when you have so many ideas screaming for attention al...

Do you want to spend months, maybe even years, toiling away at the keyboard, birthing characters, perfecting your story, and publishing your writing—only for no one to read it? No, of course not. We want our words to find our ideal readers because we love writing—most days.  But in order for our words to find those ideal readers, you have to learn the marketing side of this business too, regardles...

Have you ever started writing a story, and the words rush onto the page. But then you start worrying that your writing or your ideas aren’t good enough. You start rewriting chapters over and over again. You can’t shake that voice in the back of your head that says you’re doing this wrong. Something isn’t right, but you can’t pinpoint what that is. Or worse—you scrap the whole project and give up....

Have you ever dreamed of writing all day long—and getting paid to do so? But then reality sets in, and you start wondering how that’s feasible? How you’d even get started?  In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Sarah Werner, who shares how she planned to leave her full-time job in marketing, how she discovered the worth of her work, and how she trudged through painful writing gigs that still taught...

Are you struggling to figure out where to focus next in your writing journey?  From navigating various publishing paths to juggling writing workshops, marketing courses, and more, the confusion is real. In this episode, host Erin P.T. Canning reflects on the challenges she faced in previous years with balancing parenthood, editing, and writing. Despite releasing her first fantasy romance novel in...

It’s that time of year again when we ponder what we want to achieve in the new year. For parents who write, our lives are exceptionally busy, so planning our writing goals is crucial to our success. However, we also need to intentionally set writing goals that we can realistically achieve.  So if you haven’t already sat down to plan out your writing goals for the new year, use this template that i...

Have you contemplated designing your own book cover, or wondered what to expect if you hire a professional?  Joining today’s conversation is Katia Balab, who has joined the MiblArt family, a book cover design company that's based in the Ukraine. They have been helping self-publishing authors and publishers create book covers that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also an effective marke...

As your story expands, do you find keeping track of the evolving ideas and details overwhelming? What about if you’re writing not just one book but a whole series?  In today’s episode, you’ll learn how you can maintain consistency and track story threads, regardless of whether you’re working with professional editors or beta readers.  You’ll walk away knowing how to better communicate with your ed...

Ever wonder how some authors are able to cover come the hurdles that most, if not all, writer’s face?  Welcome back to part 2 of our journey through the 2023 Write Women Book Fest in Bowie, Maryland.  In this episode, you’ll hear from seven women writers, each with their own compelling tales, as they offer insights into their passion for writing, the challenges they've overcome, and the messa...

Ever wonder what fuels the creative fire of women authors? In today’s episode, you’re going to hear from seven incredible women authors who attended The Write Women Book Fest 2023 in Bowie, Maryland.  We'll dive into their inspiring journeys and explore what ignited their writing passions, the lengths of their literary careers, and whether they always envisioned themselves as authors. We&apos...

In this episode of Parents Who Write, Michelle Summers shares her inspiring journey as an urban fantasy author who brought mythological characters to life through the power of human beliefs. Listen to her discuss her experience as a mom of three, her background in studio art and martial arts, and how she transformed her writing dreams into a reality. But here's a delightful twist: Michelle an...

For many parents, moms in particular, society perpetuates the idea that we should sacrifice everything for our children. So how do we push that aside and give ourselves permission to write now and pursue our creative dreams?  In this episode, you’ll hear how Megan Clancy did that—not only for herself but also the writers she coaches. Megan is a writer of upmarket women's fiction and queer con...

Ever wondered if journaling can lead to more than dear diary entries? Joining today’s conversation is Erin Leigh, a writer, author, and mother of four. In this episode, Erin shares how a lifetime of journaling not only strengthened her writing but also lead to her publishing her first nonfiction book and becoming an author. Bonus: She also shares the positive impact journaling has had on her famil...

Have you ever wondered if a seed of an idea could become a whole book? What would that process look like? How would you even go about verifying if you have enough content? In today’s episode, you’ll find out how Hilary Kinney figured out the answers to those very questions and successfully published her first book. Hilary is a blogger, nonfiction author of Project Management for Parents , and a mo...